open source systems for libraries

ILS

Dave writes: "OpenBiblio is an easy to use, open source, automated library system written in PHP containing OPAC, circulation, cataloging, and library administration functionality. Beta version 0.2.1 has just been released. See obiblio.sourceforge.net for a full list of features. There is also a working demo. OpenBiblio focuses is on ease of use. Some of the current features include member admin (new, search, edit, del), bibliography admin (new, search, edit, copy, del), checkin, checkout, collections, material types, and a theme editor."

polerio writes: "PhpMyLibrary is a PHP/MySQL Web based library automation application. The program consists of cataloging (for handling adding/editing/deleting/searching of materials), circulation (so the librarian can handle user related management items), and the webpac module (where the World searches the catalog of your library). The program also has an import export feature, and strictly follows the USMARC standard for adding materials.

Changes: This version is in the form of a WebPAC module. The Import MARC record function was added, which will let you add new bibliographic data to your database. There is both a Post-nuke and stand-alone version available."

Stompro writes: "The Transaction, Circulation Module, and Basic MARC reader are now usable. The program can now add, edit, and delete library users. The user can also check in, check out, and renew library materials." Go get it at the forge.

FFR writes: "PHPMy Library Looks promising, but the interface could use a designers touch. Just the basics folks, but fun to read the code and learn. From their site: 'Our project goal is to create web-based library automation application that will handle all transaction online. PhpMyLibrary is a PHP MySQL Library automation application. The program consist of cataloging, circulation, and the webpac module. The programs also has an import export feature. The program strictly follow the USMARC standard for adding materials." Note the distinction, it's not another "my library" despite the name.

from Openbook-l: "By popular request, we have posted on our website a new OpenBook
Technical Beta Preview release. This release includes: MARC21 bibliographic, authority, community, classification and holdings format, as well as a major circulation component and a rudimentary Z39.50 client in the OPAC as well as in the

cataloging interface. (Z39.50 can be best described as early beta!)... If you want to get some experience with the interface and the system, please visit demo.trfoundation.org/opac/ since it runs the most up-to-date build of our current system at all times."

from the Koha list: "This will be the last release before we start adding MARC support... This release is mainly bug fixes. The new functionality is a script that when added to you apache config can
provide koha in different languages. Please read the scripts/translator/translator.readme file for more details."

Congrats to the folks over at Technology Resource Foundation for actually delivering a Technical Beta Preview of OpenBook roughly upon their promised date. It looks to be an already working system, guaranteed to wow (if the OSSIG session at ALA last month is an accurate gauge), if still at the to-be-expected not-fully-polished state of an 0.8 release.

OpenBook is a Koha-inspired, GPL-licensed system, apparently rewritten from scratch in more than 20k lines of php. [Update 2001-7-16: see this post on the Koha list for TRF's announcement and more explanation of the relationship between OpenBook and Koha. -dc]

as seen on the Koha list: "Lots of changes in this version, hence the jump to 1.1.0. The biggest changes are to do with circulation. There is now a comprehensive circulation API which makes building
circulation modules to use your chosen interface much much easier. There is also now a web based circulation section that uses this module."

more freshmeat: "Reserves/requests were fixed so that only items in the requested group trigger the reserves flag. Bad behavior in subject search was fixed. Dewey decimal search was implemented. The receipt summary screen in acquisitions was improved. More spelling mistakes were fixed." Check it out at koha.org.